Four Ways To Avoid The Social-Media Blues
Social media has many benefits. It’s a wonderful way to communicate with friends and family, join causes, and raise awareness about important issues. It can also be an outlet for creativity and self-expression.
However, studies have shown that too much social media can be a bad thing. Seeing other people live exciting, seemingly perfect lives can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, inadequacy, and isolation.
Well, 2020 has only made that worse. But instead of seeing pictures of friends and family traveling and enjoying incredible experiences, we’re inundated with news, updates, and opinions about the coronavirus pandemic, social activism, and the upcoming presidential election, among other hot-button issues.
While it’s important to stay informed about what’s happening in the world, social media can be a pretty depressing place these days. And, with many of us social-distancing as much or as best as we can, getting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, among other social-media platforms, has become a de facto response to combat boredom and restlessness.
This is perfectly fine – within reason. It’s important to set social-media boundaries for yourself in general, but especially now. Endlessly scrolling Twitter may be a low-maintenance way to pass the time, but is it the best use of your day? Probably not.
Think about how much time you’re spending on social media each day. Is it an hour? Two hours? Five hours? Whatever the number is, cut it in half.
Starting now.
Less time on social media?! But what am I going to do instead?!
Lots of things. Here are some options:
Go outside
Whether it’s going for a tough run or a long walk, getting some exercise—and sunlight—is good for your mental and physical health. It’s also a great way to take advantage of the warm weather while it’s still here. Struggling with motivation? Find a pump-you-up playlist on Spotify. Want something more relaxed? Find an interesting podcast, hit play, and let the sunshine take care of the rest.
See friends
While precautions must be taken, it’s important to connect with friends in person. In fact, this might be the best time of the year to do that. Want to get the gang together? Send a group text and suggest meeting in a park. BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) and set up shop (while socially distancing) for the afternoon. If it’s hot, find some shade under a tree. If sun is what you’re seeking, don’t forget sunscreen (or your mask and hand sanitizer). Either way, embrace these opportunities while the weather is still warm!
Try a new recipe
Cooking is a great way to stay active while staying home. Whether it’s dinner, dessert, or just a tasty snack or appetizer, roll up your sleeves and embrace the splendor and spontaneity of culinary creativity. You don’t have to be a Michelin-star chef to create a scrumptious dish for you and potentially others to enjoy. Need some inspiration about what to make? Or more detailed guidance? YouTube should do the trick.
Plan a trip…for 2021
You’ve likely had to cancel at least one trip this year, as traveling in the midst of a pandemic can be difficult, dangerous, or both. We don’t know when the pandemic will end, but as each day passes, we’re one day closer to regaining a sense of normalcy in our lives and enjoying activities that we perhaps took for granted in our pre-COVID-19 existence. One of those activities is travel, and it’s never too early to start planning your next trip. It might be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but planning gives us something to look forward to, which brings excitement and motivation. You may not be able to pick the dates, but deciding where to go, where to stay, and what to do while there, can still lift your mood.
The big picture
Social media is the blessing and curse of 21st-century society. It offers plenty of benefits but comes with plenty of pitfalls. It’s important to stay connected with friends and to know and understand what is going on in the world, but we must remember that while social media can tell us about our world, it doesn’t define it. Life exists outside of our computers and iPhones.
It’s up to us to live it. If you’re having a hard time doing so, depression therapy can help.
Dr. Amelia Powelson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and the owner of Perspective Psychology, LLC. She can be reached at 312.588.9672 or amelia@perspectivepsychchicago.com.